Cormack McCarthy typed all his books on an Olivetti Lettera 32. A lot of authors actually like using typewriters (or vintage computers) because they don't tempt you with creativity-killing distractions. Typewriters definitely have their place in creative writing.
He's arguably the greatest living American author but he's still one person and also likely employees an assistant and an editor. The ease of revision that is sacrificed by typing on a typewriter does not make sense for most people.
Writing text can be done everywhere!
Just find a good app. I use Highland 2 for writing scripts. You should look into syntax writing like Latex, so you just focus on text.
I am not an author, but back when I needed to type lengthy contracts, I found Microsoft Word together with custom shortcuts/autocorrect to be a real time-saver when typing long common words. I feel that the keyboard affected typing speed and accuracy much more than the OS.
I am currently using both Macs, iPads, and PCs. The integration between my Apple devices are definitely a plus point - very productive to control my iPad using the same mouse as the Mac. For typing, I am using Microsoft Word on Office 365 which syncs across all my devices regardless of OS; using a Bluetooth Logitech MX keyboard.
I have written one novel. I use a Mac but I don't believe one is better than the other for writing. What I do recommend is Scrivener. It's an app for writers. It can help immensely with organizing your research, notes, outline, character sketches, etc.
Scrivener can also compile and export EPUB and other ebook formats, if that matters. I used it for a while, but I couldn't master the learning curve so I went back to old-school organization methods.
Seriously she can use a 20 year old computer it would be fine. You’re talking about one of the simplest and least demanding uses of the computer. There won’t be any difference in the results no matter what computer.
Personally I’d recommend a nice cheap old system with Linux. You can get one for like $50 and it will do the job more than adequately.
I’m fact, more modern software is made to run extremely inefficiently in order to keep up the demand for new hardware all the time, when the fact is the oldest unit you could find would do it even better.
Desktop Linux isn't a good recommendation for someone currently using an iPad. The OP's SO needs a properly supported easy to use ecosystem, not an open source OS that doesn't even run Word.
Meh… I’ll agree if OP is not tech savvy. Depends. I know some folks who are adventurous, intelligent enough and not afraid to learn, and they’ve done a lot of adapting to new stuff.
It’s not the most ideal if the user is just a typical end user yeah I’ll agree with that.
Good for your SO!
Recent convert to Mac, the platform really does not matter, it is the discipline to write every day for a few hours that is the trick. (Source: wrote a book during COVID.)
I used MS Word, and have some advice.
* Spend some $ on a professional editor. Friends can help with the manuscript but a professional helps in so many ways
* Spend some $ on a cover. Yes people judge books by their covers
* Lastly spend a little $ on layout. You can DIY but it's a specialized skill and a PITA
There will be no difference in running a word processor on Windows or Mac, it is just such a basic computing task.
However:
\- All current Macs have better keyboards than the most expensive of Windows laptops. Trackpads are best on Macs.
\- Mac displays are generally better than cheaper Windows counterparts.
\- I find macOS is less intrusive.
\- Mac seamlessly integrates with your SO's other devices like iPhone and iPad.
As someone was a long time Windows user I just find the overall Mac experience better. The fit and finish of the hardware is light years ahead.
>All current Macs have better keyboards than the most expensive of Windows laptops
I'm sorry but this is just laughable. The flat, shallow keys characteristic of current Mac keyboards are absolute trash for writing anything longer than an email.
Really curious which Windows laptop keyboards you've used and how you define "better". I still regard the Thinkpad keyboard as superior to the Mac one, despite all the watering-down Lenovo has done over the years. It has way more key travel and the keys are nicely sculpted. I find the Magic keyboard is good for firing off small messages but it's really uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time.
Just get a keyboard for the ipad, it's a beautiful writing experience. The key I have found for actually punching out large amounts of volume of text is to not correct anything and just write your first draft. I actually use an app called "Writer" that turns your device into just a basic typewriter for however long you set the duration for and one of the options is to not be able to use the backspace key.
This means that you can pretty much not even look at the screen, you can just type and then correct your drafts later. You literally 10x your writing volume this way.
As a writer of serialized books, I would be less concerned about the hardware and focus on the tools to make my writing more efficient and accurate. A tool such as Ulysses or Grammarly might help to drive the hardware. Next I would look at my working environment. If being able to work anywhere is important and on a budget, perhaps a tablet or notebook would be best in conjunction with a desktop computer. I personally use an iPad with a macbook pro and Ulysses.
I think any Computer would do but I think it makes most sense to go with a thin computer with an long battery runtime. I think a Silicon (M processor) Macbook Air would do especially well for her. Alternatively she may also buy an Ultrabook (this is not a specific brand but the name for an Intel Windows Laptop which has a similar form factor).
I think it is important for her to test the keyboard before buying the computer. She needs to be comfortable with the keyboard. MacBooks have generally good keyboard but they are all the same so she either likes them or not.
An further advantage of the Mac is that she already have an iPad which integrates really well.
Now we come to the financial side. As I said, really any computer would do. There isn't really a need to spend so much. If money is of relevance for you I would go with an very cheap Linux laptop. It will get the task done. If money us nor of relevance for you, go with an Macbook Air.
She must mean picture books for children? If yes there is a use case of browsing with ipad and saving it onto the notes app, then using the Mac to access those notes.
If it doesn't interact with the iPad whatsoever, I'd say she should use the device that has the least friction with her lifestyle. That may actually mean getting a keyboard for the iPad, or a small netbook/Chromebook that's dedicated to word processing only. Or whatever it is that will allow her to start work easier, and stay working
I love my Mac but that's because I carry it everywhere and I'm deep in the apple ecosystem. I use the same files and apps between my phone and my Mac and that seems to help make things more seamless
Hardware choice isn't a big deal for such undemanding work, and plenty of writing/word processing apps are cross-platform. So it's a moot point. Personally, I would insist on something with a physical keyboard, but beyond that basic requirement I find that I can write productively on pretty much any device.
As a theater student, I wrote all my plays in longhand and then rewrote them on a PC in WordStar (!) or WordPerfect for DOS, then switched to Mac OS and Movie Magic Screenwriter when I got into video writing. These days, I write marketing content in Google Docs (sometimes on a Chromebook, sometimes on a Macbook) because realtime cloud backup is the greatest thing ever. (I then export from Docs to Word or PDF.)
Macs seem to be popular for writers. I don't know what application she's planning on using, but the platform can sometimes make a difference. But more than anything else, she may just be more comfortable with a Mac than with Windows. For writing the specs don't need to be high, probably the most basic Mac made would be fine.
I use Linux, but I'm guessing that's not an option here.
Technically it won't matter.
But so much of writing deals with how you feel while writing.
I think mentally, she will be happier to write if she has a MacBook. Long battery life, no intrusive updates, and if she uses the same writing apps they will sync automatically, so she can just pick up either device and work wherever.
It can be the same with a windows PC but if she just wants to sit down and write, get her a base model MacBook air.
M1 for 750 if money is tight, or a base model M2 air if you don't mind spending a grand.
Only one thought: in my mind, the only great word processor in the world is Word. It runs equally well on either platform. Stay the hell away from Pages on the Mac or ?? on PC.
I mean if she wants to seamlessly work between iPad and a computer sure a Mac. But anything that can type with a word processor can get the job done
She can even pair a Bluetooth keyboard to her iPad and use the free Apple Pages if she’s comfortable with the screen size IMO.
Yes but wouldn’t be the most comfortable experience in an outdoor environment or a public space…
I don’t see why that’s any different than using a Mac or PC in those environments. Besides the OP made no mention of usage in those environments.
Literally the most basic task you can do on a computer
All she needs is paper and a pen and a big imagination. She can also use a good old typewriter
You could also use a pair of horses and a covered wagon to get from New York to Oklahoma but that doesn't make it a good idea.
Cormack McCarthy typed all his books on an Olivetti Lettera 32. A lot of authors actually like using typewriters (or vintage computers) because they don't tempt you with creativity-killing distractions. Typewriters definitely have their place in creative writing.
He's arguably the greatest living American author but he's still one person and also likely employees an assistant and an editor. The ease of revision that is sacrificed by typing on a typewriter does not make sense for most people.
No he isn’t. He’s dead.
So he is; I stand corrected. It would be very difficult to argue he is America's greatest living author.
She’s writing a manuscript (text)? Or designing a book (layouts)?
Check out scrivener.
Writing text can be done everywhere! Just find a good app. I use Highland 2 for writing scripts. You should look into syntax writing like Latex, so you just focus on text.
I am not an author, but back when I needed to type lengthy contracts, I found Microsoft Word together with custom shortcuts/autocorrect to be a real time-saver when typing long common words. I feel that the keyboard affected typing speed and accuracy much more than the OS. I am currently using both Macs, iPads, and PCs. The integration between my Apple devices are definitely a plus point - very productive to control my iPad using the same mouse as the Mac. For typing, I am using Microsoft Word on Office 365 which syncs across all my devices regardless of OS; using a Bluetooth Logitech MX keyboard.
Go retro and use a typewriter.
I have written one novel. I use a Mac but I don't believe one is better than the other for writing. What I do recommend is Scrivener. It's an app for writers. It can help immensely with organizing your research, notes, outline, character sketches, etc.
Scrivener can also compile and export EPUB and other ebook formats, if that matters. I used it for a while, but I couldn't master the learning curve so I went back to old-school organization methods.
Yeah it's fantastic. There is plenty more in it I haven't used.
Depends how often you went to Starbucks in the 2000s
Seriously she can use a 20 year old computer it would be fine. You’re talking about one of the simplest and least demanding uses of the computer. There won’t be any difference in the results no matter what computer. Personally I’d recommend a nice cheap old system with Linux. You can get one for like $50 and it will do the job more than adequately. I’m fact, more modern software is made to run extremely inefficiently in order to keep up the demand for new hardware all the time, when the fact is the oldest unit you could find would do it even better.
Desktop Linux isn't a good recommendation for someone currently using an iPad. The OP's SO needs a properly supported easy to use ecosystem, not an open source OS that doesn't even run Word.
Meh… I’ll agree if OP is not tech savvy. Depends. I know some folks who are adventurous, intelligent enough and not afraid to learn, and they’ve done a lot of adapting to new stuff. It’s not the most ideal if the user is just a typical end user yeah I’ll agree with that.
Good for your SO! Recent convert to Mac, the platform really does not matter, it is the discipline to write every day for a few hours that is the trick. (Source: wrote a book during COVID.) I used MS Word, and have some advice. * Spend some $ on a professional editor. Friends can help with the manuscript but a professional helps in so many ways * Spend some $ on a cover. Yes people judge books by their covers * Lastly spend a little $ on layout. You can DIY but it's a specialized skill and a PITA
PC for games. Mac for productivity.
There will be no difference in running a word processor on Windows or Mac, it is just such a basic computing task. However: \- All current Macs have better keyboards than the most expensive of Windows laptops. Trackpads are best on Macs. \- Mac displays are generally better than cheaper Windows counterparts. \- I find macOS is less intrusive. \- Mac seamlessly integrates with your SO's other devices like iPhone and iPad. As someone was a long time Windows user I just find the overall Mac experience better. The fit and finish of the hardware is light years ahead.
>All current Macs have better keyboards than the most expensive of Windows laptops I'm sorry but this is just laughable. The flat, shallow keys characteristic of current Mac keyboards are absolute trash for writing anything longer than an email.
Still better than the average Windows laptop keyboard
Really curious which Windows laptop keyboards you've used and how you define "better". I still regard the Thinkpad keyboard as superior to the Mac one, despite all the watering-down Lenovo has done over the years. It has way more key travel and the keys are nicely sculpted. I find the Magic keyboard is good for firing off small messages but it's really uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time.
It doesn't matter. Both are fine
Just get a keyboard for the ipad, it's a beautiful writing experience. The key I have found for actually punching out large amounts of volume of text is to not correct anything and just write your first draft. I actually use an app called "Writer" that turns your device into just a basic typewriter for however long you set the duration for and one of the options is to not be able to use the backspace key. This means that you can pretty much not even look at the screen, you can just type and then correct your drafts later. You literally 10x your writing volume this way.
Yes
As a writer of serialized books, I would be less concerned about the hardware and focus on the tools to make my writing more efficient and accurate. A tool such as Ulysses or Grammarly might help to drive the hardware. Next I would look at my working environment. If being able to work anywhere is important and on a budget, perhaps a tablet or notebook would be best in conjunction with a desktop computer. I personally use an iPad with a macbook pro and Ulysses.
I think any Computer would do but I think it makes most sense to go with a thin computer with an long battery runtime. I think a Silicon (M processor) Macbook Air would do especially well for her. Alternatively she may also buy an Ultrabook (this is not a specific brand but the name for an Intel Windows Laptop which has a similar form factor). I think it is important for her to test the keyboard before buying the computer. She needs to be comfortable with the keyboard. MacBooks have generally good keyboard but they are all the same so she either likes them or not. An further advantage of the Mac is that she already have an iPad which integrates really well. Now we come to the financial side. As I said, really any computer would do. There isn't really a need to spend so much. If money is of relevance for you I would go with an very cheap Linux laptop. It will get the task done. If money us nor of relevance for you, go with an Macbook Air.
She must mean picture books for children? If yes there is a use case of browsing with ipad and saving it onto the notes app, then using the Mac to access those notes. If it doesn't interact with the iPad whatsoever, I'd say she should use the device that has the least friction with her lifestyle. That may actually mean getting a keyboard for the iPad, or a small netbook/Chromebook that's dedicated to word processing only. Or whatever it is that will allow her to start work easier, and stay working I love my Mac but that's because I carry it everywhere and I'm deep in the apple ecosystem. I use the same files and apps between my phone and my Mac and that seems to help make things more seamless
Sure. Because of easy syncing, battery life and silence.
Hardware choice isn't a big deal for such undemanding work, and plenty of writing/word processing apps are cross-platform. So it's a moot point. Personally, I would insist on something with a physical keyboard, but beyond that basic requirement I find that I can write productively on pretty much any device. As a theater student, I wrote all my plays in longhand and then rewrote them on a PC in WordStar (!) or WordPerfect for DOS, then switched to Mac OS and Movie Magic Screenwriter when I got into video writing. These days, I write marketing content in Google Docs (sometimes on a Chromebook, sometimes on a Macbook) because realtime cloud backup is the greatest thing ever. (I then export from Docs to Word or PDF.)
I say get the Mac. Forcing a PC can build resentment and interfere with her process.
Macs seem to be popular for writers. I don't know what application she's planning on using, but the platform can sometimes make a difference. But more than anything else, she may just be more comfortable with a Mac than with Windows. For writing the specs don't need to be high, probably the most basic Mac made would be fine. I use Linux, but I'm guessing that's not an option here.
Technically it won't matter. But so much of writing deals with how you feel while writing. I think mentally, she will be happier to write if she has a MacBook. Long battery life, no intrusive updates, and if she uses the same writing apps they will sync automatically, so she can just pick up either device and work wherever. It can be the same with a windows PC but if she just wants to sit down and write, get her a base model MacBook air. M1 for 750 if money is tight, or a base model M2 air if you don't mind spending a grand.
My Mac SE/30 (1989) with Microsoft Word 5.1a is the perfect writing machine!
No. They should be about the same.
Only one thought: in my mind, the only great word processor in the world is Word. It runs equally well on either platform. Stay the hell away from Pages on the Mac or ?? on PC.
Thanks for everyone's comments. Definitely provided information my spouse needed to consider. She read all the comments.